Kerala slashes COVID-19 test rates for second time

Kerala government has reduced the charges for COVID-19 tests in the state for the second time. The latest price cut is mainly due to the availability of test kits at lower prices after competence in the domestic market.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government has slashed the charges for COVID-19 tests in the state for the second time since the pandemic set in.

The price of RT-PCR tests that used to cost Rs 2,750 has been slashed to Rs 1,500 under the revised rates.

The GeneXpert test rate has been reduced from Rs 3,000 to Rs 2,500 now and for the TrueNAT tests, the rates would be 1,500, while it was Rs 2,100 earlier.

The rate for COVID-19 antigen tests which have been charged Rs 625 has been slashed to Rs 300.

The costs are inclusive of PPE, swabbing and other charges. The revised rates will be applicable to all laboratories and hospitals approved by the ICMR or the state government.

The state government had earlier reduced the charges for COVID tests in October.

The latest price cut is mainly due to the availability of test kits at lower prices after competence in the domestic market.